DISCOVERY:
On October 29, 1996, a man and his nephew were feeding ducks in a canal behind 13920 Lake Placid Court in Miami-Lakes, Miami-Dade County, Florida, when they noticed a box floating in the water. Believing something of value might be within it, the pair collected it and removed the rope and duct tape that had been used to keep it shut.
Upon opening the box, they were met with the smell of human decomposition, prompting the man to contact the authorities.
AUTOPSY:
An autopsy conducted on the remains found the body was that of a woman who’d likely died several weeks prior. Given a tank top was wrapped around her neck, the cause was determined to be asphyxiation; she had been murdered.
DETAILS:
Jane Doe is described as White, with possible Hispanic admixture (investigators believe she may be of Colombian descent). She was likely between 25-35 years; stood between 5’0″ and 5’4″; and had shoulder-length (10″ to 12″) wavy brown hair. All reports related to this case state she had a “well-healed” nasal fracture.
Given the level of decomposition, her weight and eye colour couldn’t be determined.
The decedent was nude when her body was found. The shirt found wrapped around her head was a large Zotto-brand tank top that was white, with blue trim around the arm and neck openings. An image of a red globe was in the middle, with the following text: “POPULAR”, “A world art”, “Best Collection”, “London Company” and “A 100% quality brand”.
As of 2021, investigators were looking into familial genetics and new DNA testing methods to try and uncover her identity.
RULE OUTS/EXCLUSIONS:
- Lurline Michelle Bergeron, who went missing from West Palm Beach, Florida, on July 1, 1991.
- Paula Michelle Burnette, who went missing from Harrison, Tennessee, on September 17, 1996.
- Jennifer Rayleen Casper-Ross, who went missing from Reno, Nevada, on May 5, 2005.
- Clarissa Ann Culberson, who went missing from Blanchester, Ohio, on August 28, 1996.
- Linda Louise Fledderman, who went missing from Myakka, Florida, on August 17, 1996.
- Ginette Landry, who went missing from Montréal, Quebec, Canada, on May 4, 1994.
- Desiree Lynette Lopez, who went missing from Hialeah Gardens, Florida, on August 15, 1996.
- Michelle Renee Maitland, who went missing from Olympia, Washington, on September 12, 1996.
- Janet Gail Levine March, who went missing from Nashville, Tennessee, on August 15, 1996. While her body has never been located, her husband, Perry, and his father, Arthur, were charged and convicted of her murder.
- Colleen Voitik McHugh, who went missing from Joliet, Illinois, on April 17, 1996. According to reports, she has since been located, with little information available regarding her recovery.
- Luz Daris Rodriguez, who went missing from Miami Beach, Florida, on August 25, 1989.
- Patricia Ann Schmidt, who went missing from Richmond, Virginia, on June 4, 1985.
- Tiffany Louise Sessions, who went missing from Gainesville, Florida, on February 9, 1989.
- Heather Danyelle Teague, who went missing from Spottsville, Kentucky, on August 26, 1995.
- Nadine Claire Timm, who went missing from Lockport, Illinois, on November 16, 1965.
- Angela Lynn Williams, who went missing from Pass Christian, Mississippi, on July 10, 1995.
CASE CONTACT INFORMATION:
Jane Doe’s DNA and dentals are available for comparison.
Anyone with information regarding the decedent’s identity and/or her murder is asked to contact either the Miami-Dade Police Department at (305) 715-3300 or the Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office at (305) 545-2460.
Image Credit: Samantha Steinberg via The Doe Network
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